Lottery funding for ship’s preservation

The HY Tyne which is the club house of the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club in Blyth harbour with Commadore Paul Common (r) and Vice Commadore and have been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund for repairs. GM036390

Published:08:59Wednesday 02 April 2014

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An historical vessel in Blyth is to be repaired and restored thanks to lottery funding.

Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, based at the Port of Blyth, has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the HY Tyne- Light Vessel LV 50Preservation Project.

The initiative aims to carry out essential work including the repair or replacement of all rotted timber in the hull, particularly in the area of the stem post or bow section.

It will also repair or replace the superstructure, which has deteriorated through time, and build and install the lantern back onto the mast.

The history of the vessel will be researched and made available for historians, schools and other interested parties through photographic records and drawings.

And community groups will also be encouraged to participate in educational activities designed to reflect the historical nature of the vessel and the period she operated in.

Development funding of £69,600 has been awarded to help the yacht club progress its plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

Paul Common, commodore of the yacht club, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“We are very proud of House Yacht Tyne and her history and it is important that we preserve her and make her available for the community and future generations.

“We must ensure her historical value as one of the last British timber light vessels is maintained, and the knowledge that has already been generated through our work in seeking this funding shows that there is a huge interest in having her here in the north east.”

It is expected that preservation work will commence in early summer 2015 and take approximately eight months to complete.

Ivor Crowther, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North East, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting these exciting plans for the light vessel project.

“Not only will the project restore the historic vessel but it will also provide many opportunities to get the local community involved.

“Volunteers will have a big part to play, learning about local maritime history and learning new skills.

“Heritage Lottery Fund is looking forward to seeing these plans progress over the coming months.”